Definition
Control surfaces, typically located on the trailing edge of a delta or tailless aircraft wing, that combine the functions of elevators and ailerons. When moved together in the same direction they control pitch; when moved differentially (one up, one down) they control roll.
Plain English
A pair of moving panels on the back edge of the wing that do two jobs at once: working together they make the nose go up or down, and working in opposite directions they make the aircraft bank left or right.
Context Anchor
Seen on aircraft with certain wing designs, especially delta-wing or tailless aircraft, during flight control descriptions, maintenance inspections, and control checks.
Derivation
A blend of 'elevator' and 'aileron' — the two control surfaces whose functions it combines. The name itself tells you what it does.
Why Pilots Care
These surfaces replace separate elevators and ailerons, directly affecting how the aircraft responds to control inputs.
Intuition Check
Do not think of an elevon as just an elevator or just an aileron. It is one control surface that performs both roles.
Example Sentence 1
The delta-wing aircraft uses elevons instead of separate elevators and ailerons because it has no horizontal tail.
Example Sentence 2
Differential movement of the elevons produced a roll without needing separate ailerons.